Slugger Giancarlo Stanton and closer Steve Cishek have been named to the Team USA provisional roster for the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Both player tweeted their enthusiastic responses.
Cishek: “SO pumped to wear USA across my chest this spring what an honor! Can’t believe ill be playing alongside these guys it’s going to be unreal!”

Stanton: “I’m HYPED to sport U.S.A across my chest in the World Baseball Classic!!”

Former Marlins closer Heath Bell, traded in October to Arizona, also is on the roster.

Marlins baseball operations president Larry Beinfest in December said the team would have no problem allowing Stanton to play in the WBC.

“We would definitely support it,” Beinfest said.

Stanton missed significant time in each of his past two spring trainings because of injuries. He still wound up having productive seasons, including 37 home runs — second in the National League — in 2012.

“”I’m sure he will come in (to Marlins camp in February) in great shape and healthy. If that’s the case, when he comes to take his physical on Feb. 15 and he has been selected to participate, we would support that,” Beinfest said.

MLB Network, which broadcast the roster announcement at 10 a.m. today, unveiled a potential Team USA batting order and had Stanton batting fourth as the designated hitter.

Provisional rosters allow up to 28 players to be listed, creating a pool of players who are eligible to be named to the Federation’s final roster. Each Federation must submit its final 28-man roster, including a minimum of 13 pitchers and two catchers, by Feb. 20.

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